Should We Dam Nanticoke Creek?
A Decision-Making Exercise
Name____________________
Class __________
NY State / DLESE Collection
(www.dlese.org)
Copyright 2005 by Phil Childs
pchilds@uegw.stier.org
Imagine that New York State has decided to build a dam on Nanticoke Creek just north of West Corners.
What do you know about dams and their impact on a region? This exercise will; test your topographic map skills,
allow you reflect on how rivers effect mankind and also pose questions, and develop your decision-making skills.
WHAT DO YOU ALREADY KNOW?
Mankind has been trying to live along rivers since the earliest times.
Rivers have had an impact on people since people have recorded the history of civilization. Try to recall some
instances that you have heard about in school that talks about civilization and rivers.
A) Create a list of stories, which you have read or know about, that have to do with rivers.
B) What do people do that affect the rivers that they live near?
C) Have you ever been to a dam?
D) What are dams constructed of?
E) Make a list of at least three reasons that dams are built.
F) We have dams in our local area. Why were dams built locally. Give examples including locations.
You’ll be investigating what would occur if a dam were built along the Nanticoke Creek and what would be
some of the positive and negative impacts this dam would have on individuals or towns.
Procedure for map exercise.
1. Match-up and join the two sheets into one. This should create a large continuous map of the area being studied.
2. Tape the maps together on the backside only.
3. Find the X-Y line where the dam is to built.
-The dam will rise to the 1150-foot level on both hills.
-Water will back up and fill the reservoir up to the 1000-foot level.
4. Get a copy of the Maine 7.5’ Quadrangle Topographic Map you’ll need this to assist you with this exercise.
On your paper maps:
5. Use a blue pencil to trace the Nanticoke Creek from the dam, north.
6. Trace the major tributaries of Nanticoke Creek, also in blue.
7. Use a dark color to trace the 1000-foot contour line surrounding the Creek.
8. Use yellow to lightly sketch in the area, which the reservoir would fill.
Background information: If the reservoir is filled or flooding situations arise dams are designed to allow water to
flow through or around them. This design is to prevent catastrophic failure of the dam. Water is released
downstream through a pipe, which takes reservoir waters from the lake bottom directly to the stream below the
dam. Spillways are designed to allow water to flow around the dam in cases of high water.
G) How many square miles (area) will this reservoir cover?
H) How will the Nanticoke below the dam be affected? Give both positive and negative effects.
I) Try to figure out what costs are needed to construct this dam and reservoir. List what costs would be involved in
the construction of the reservoir.
J) If this dam were for flood control, whom would it protect? Would it be cost efficient?
K) If this was for a water supply for a large city (New York City or Philadelphia) do you think it should be built? State
specific reasons for your answer.
L) Try to find out about the NYC water reservoir system that is found in upstate New York (Cannonsville, Pepacton,
Neversink, Ashokan, Schoharie, Roundout, Croton). The reservoirs and aqueduct system bring water over 150
miles to NYC. NYC totally depends on this for its water supply.
This system taps waters, which would normally, flow into the Delaware River system. The Delaware system is a
major water supply for the city of Philadelphia, Pa. Does NYC has a right to “take” water from Philadelphia? Try to
find out how this problem was solved.
http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=16&Z=18&X=32&Y=364&W=1&qs=%7cEndicott%7cNY
(note: maps are on following pages)